News Release

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Los Angeles: Last night, just before 5:00 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) patrol officers from Foothill Area shot and killed a suspect armed with a handgun.

On July 18, 2011, just about 5:00 p.m., Foothill Area Officers responded to a radio call of a man with a gun, possible Domestic Violence, at 10461 Ilex Avenue. While on their way to the call, the officers saw the possible suspect seated with a female next to brick fence, a few houses south of the radio call at 13000 block of Terra Bella Street. The officers believed it was the described suspect from the radio call. The officers stopped, got out of their car and approached on foot. They gave several commands to the suspect, later identified as Jose Torres who was seated next to his estranged wife.

As the officers came closer to Torres, he placed his arm around his wife and produced a semi-automatic handgun which he proceeded to put against her head and body. All of the officers surrounded Torres and gave several commands to drop his gun. Torres ignored the officers. When Torres moved the gun towards his wife once again in a threatening manner, two officers fired multiple shots, striking Torres. Torres was struck multiple times in his torso and slumped forward to the ground. The other officers immediately moved forward and pulled his wife to safety as Torres was taken into custody.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Torres dead at the scene. Torres’ wife did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of this incident.

No officers were injured in the incident. Three occupants were removed from the residence uninjured. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Foothill Area Detectives at 818-834-3115. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.